UK energy consumption and electricity generation

UK energy production increased on last year’s record low which saw oil and gas production affected by maintenance. Natural gas production increased by more than 50 per cent and oil production increased by 10 per cent. Low carbon energy also increased.

  • Total final energy consumption was 0.2 per cent lower than in the second quarter of 2021, as warmer temperatures decreased demand and offset increased activity in the economy. Transport consumption rose by 23 per cent with petrol and diesel consumption returning to near pre-pandemic levels. Domestic consumption fell by 28 per cent due to warmer weather and a decrease in the amount of time working at home.

  • Exports of gas reached a new quarterly high as imports of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) arriving in the UK helped supply Belgium and the Netherlands. Electricity exports also reached a new record high with the UK becoming a net exporter of electricity for the first time since 2010.

  • Energy received from Russia decreased on the same quarter of last year. With no LNG cargoes arriving from Russia, Russia’s share of the UK’s gas imports fell from 7.6 per cent last year to 0. Russia’s share of the UK’s oil imports fell from 15.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2022.

  • Renewable generation rose 12 per cent on the same period last year due to more favorable conditions and increased capacity. Renewable’s share of generation rose to 38.6 per cent, with low carbon’s share increasing 2.1 percentage points to 55.0 per cent with stronger output from nuclear. Fossil fuel’s share of generation fell by 2.1 percentage points to 41.9 per cent.

  • Renewable generation capacity grew by 6.5 per cent on the same quarter last year, with offshore wind growing 23 per cent. The growth in renewable capacity has increased in recent quarters after a relatively sustained period of more modest growth. On a longer timeframe, renewable generation capacity is now six times greater than the same quarter of 2010.

In the second quarter of 2022 total production was 27.4 million tons of oil equivalent, 21 per cent higher than in the second quarter of 2021. The main reason for the increase is the impact of significant maintenance on the North Sea (notably the shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System) in summer 2021, which severely reduced oil and gas output. Total primary energy consumption for energy uses fell by 0.3 per cent, with petroleum consumption increasing as lockdown restrictions eased on last year but warmer weather reducing gas consumption. When adjusted to take account of weather differences, primary energy consumption rose by 4.4 per cent.

Total final energy consumption (excluding non-energy use) was 0.2 per cent lower compared to the second quarter of 2021. Transport consumption rose by 23 per cent as international travel restrictions were eased; domestic consumption fell by 28 per cent with average temperatures warmer than a year earlier, other final users (mainly from the service sector) consumption fell by 3.0 per cent and industrial consumption fell by 0.2 per cent. On a seasonally and temperature adjusted basis, final energy consumption rose by 4.9 per cent, with rises in all sectors except domestic which fell by 7.5 per cent. With the exception of transport consumption which remains relatively low, the energy requirements of most sectors are broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.

In the second quarter of 2022, demand for coal by electricity generators fell to 195 thousand tons. Much of this decrease was due to coal supply for Major Power Producers (MPP) falling to a new record low of 17 thousand tons in May 2022, with National Grid reporting 635 consecutive coal free hours. Drax coal units were mothballed at the end of March 2021 but will be available for generation if needed over the coming winter. Coal use for electricity generation is expected to cease completely by October 2024. (Chart 2.1) Overall coal production for the second quarter of 2022 fell to 190 thousand tons, down 48 per cent on the second quarter of 2021.

Surface mining production fell to 179 thousand tons. Mine closures and a pattern of generally falling demand contributed to lower production. In the second quarter of 2022, coal imports rose to 1.4 million tons, 44 per cent up on the same period last year. The USA was the largest supplier of coal into the UK at 54 per cent of total imports. Russia provided 19 per cent of coal imports, down from 48 per cent in the same period last year mirroring the decreasing reliance on Russian energy seen in oil and gas.

In the most recent quarter, coal demand for coal-fired electricity generation fell 41 per cent to 195 thousand tons. This was close to the lowest value on record in Quarter 2 2020 (166 thousand tonsssa). Much of this decrease was due to supply for Major Power Producers (MPP) falling to a new record low of 17 thousand tons in May 2022, with National Grid reporting 635 consecutive coal free hours with generation from gas, nuclear and renewable increasing. Demand for coal-fired generation is seasonal, peaking in winter when conditions are cold and dark; these peaks have declined as coal-fired generation became less competitive economically and gas and renewable sources displaced it.

People also ask

What raises the electricity bill the most?

8 Reasons Your Electric Bill Is So High



  •  Devices Drawing Phantom Energy

  •  Using Old, Inefficient Appliances

  •  Lighting Your Home With Traditional Incandescent Bulbs

  •  Leaving Lights or Appliances On

  •  Putting Significant Demand on Your HVAC System

  •  Using a Lot of Hot Water

  •  Staying Indoors More

  •  Greater Use of Devices

What are the 6 main sources of renewable energy?

The most popular renewable energy sources currently are:



  •  Solar energy

  •  Wind energy.

  •  Hydro energy.

  •  Tidal energy.

  •  Geothermal energy.

  •  Biomass energy.

Conclusion:

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